Sailors from USS Missouri help Joplin clean up

GROTON, Conn. (AP) — Eight sailors on the USS Missouri attack submarine are back from a week of voluntary leave they took to help clean up tornado damage in the state of Missouri.

The sailors arrived back at U.S. Submarine Base in Groton Wednesday after assisting the AmeriCorps, the American Red Cross, and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency by organizing groups in Joplin to remove debris and assist homeowners gather their belongings.

Chief Yeoman Mike Shea, who led the group, says they were honored to assist the boat’s namesake state.

They received a personal thank you from Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, who met with them earlier this week.

The USS Missouri is a Virginia-class attack sub that entered the fleet last July. It is the fifth Navy vessel to carry that name.